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| Movie Review: The Secret in Their Eyes Alternate Title: Law & Disorder
Story: This film was Argentina's
entry into the 2009 Oscar race for Best Foreign Film. Shockingly, it
won (well, at least I was shocked). Written and directed by Juan
José Campanella (see trivia about the director and his
association with L&O) this 'ripped from the headlines' who-dunnit,
mystery, romance, thriller took a very long time to tell it's tale.
The film flashes back and forth between the rape
and murder of a lovely, young woman in 1974 to the present. A retired
law clerk, who decides to write a novel about the unsolved murder rediscovers
his past, his long lost love and the truth. It just takes a heck of
a long time to uncover the mystery. So long, in fact, that my sister
fell asleep. Her Alternate Title would probably have been 'Wake Me When
it's Over.' There are surely good things about the film.
It is well acted, pretty to look at and Buenos Aires is lovely. The
bad news is that it needed to be edited by at least 30 minutes. There
seemed to be four endings, as in 'fade to black' but it continues just
when you think it is over. I also was able to figure out the mystery
about 30 minutes prior to the conclusion (maybe I have seen too many
Law & Orders myself). The larger themes of political corruption, Argentina's
struggles with juntas and dictatorships are seen in the background and
I would have liked those stories more than the one that was front and
center. Don't cry for me, Argentina. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CUj7kdW7IQ The Law & Order Doink Doink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OlCVNn9ZeY Acting: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, and
Guillermo Francella are all terrific.
Trivia: Juan José Campanella directed 17 episodes
of Law & Order:SVU. Soledad Villamil won Best Actress
in Argentina for this role. Ricardo Darin won Best
Actor in Argentina for this role.
Predilection: This won Best Foreign film in this
year's Oscar race. I like to see all Oscar nominated films.
Critters: Dogs
Soundtrack: Mysterious
Opening Titles: A lovely blurry montage opens the
film with all credits at the end.
Visual Art: Argentina looks beautiful.
Theater Audience: About 20 other people.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Rape is always squirmy.
Drift Factor: I did not drift - but I did look at
my watch often.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Apparently so - but not in my opinion.
Big Screen or Rental: Either
Length: A bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
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